Perfect time to side with in-form China girl

Elina Svitolina was due to hotfoot it from Dubai, where she posted the biggest win of her career last week, to Kuala Lumpur but the Ukrainian may be much less focused with important events in Indian Wells and Miami around the corner.

Carla Suarez Navarro is none too reliable these days, while the Malaysian Open price for Caroline Garcia, who is not exactly a serial title winner, looks on the short side.

It could pay to go with form and Qiang Wang, who has been playing well of late, could have her day. The Chinese player defeated Kristina Mladenovic and Jelena Ostapenko in Dubai and a reproduction of that standard could see Qiang prosper.

Of the others, Aleksandra Krunic is capable of much better than she has shown over the last 12 months, while Kateryna Kozlova and Sara Sorribes Tormo look good enough to win titles in the near future.

Recommendation
Qiang Wang
1pt 20-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

The lowdown

Venue Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Prize money $250,000 ($43,000 to winner)

Category International (280 ranking points to winner)

Surface Outdoor DecoTurf hard courts

When to bet Starts 7am UK time today

Where to watch Daily live coverage on BT Sport

Weather forecast Rain and thunder likely all week. High 33C

Time difference Kuala Lumpur is eight hours ahead of the UK and Ireland